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News: Gati Shakti Plan can generate positive spillover effects, strengthen India’s economic ties with its neighbours.
Prime Minister recently launched the Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity. Apart from the economic multiplier effect at the domestic level, the plan has also great significance in shaping India’s relations with other countries.
What are the components of the Gati Shakti Plan?
What will be the impact of Gati Shakti on India’s foreign relations?
With the focus on infrastructure and to boost the last-mile connectivity, it will help India to deepen its economic relations with neighboring countries as well as countries from Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean origin.
For eg: India trade relations with Nepal reached new heights because of the various initiatives in the infrastructure sector like new rail and road routes, modernisation of border control systems etc.
| Read more: What PM Gati Shakti plan means for the nation |
What should India do to ensure the success of the Gati Shakti Plan?
First, India’s connectivity issues need to be coordinated with domestic issues. Also, India should deepen bilateral consultations with its neighbouring countries to measure their connectivity strategies and priorities.
For eg: India’s integrated check post lack complementary infrastructure on the other side of the border. Similarly, in the case of digital systems, while India has joined Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) convention, none of its eastern neighbours have.
Second, India should work collaboratively on various regional institutions and platforms. This will help India to develop a regional vision and standards for connectivity, reducing bilateral transaction costs etc.
Third, India should work closely with global players who are keen to support its strategic imperative to give the Indo-Pacific an economic connectivity dimension.
These all measures will give the Gati Shakti plan a truly regional and global dimension and help India achieve its developmental targets at home.
Source: This post is based on the article ” How India’s Gati Shakti Plan can have an impact beyond its borders” published in the Indian Express on 9th November 2021.
